Day One in South Africa

To enjoy a World Cup, you must be willing to embrace adventure and I do! I reserved a room for the first two nights via the Internet two days before departing. The owners Adrian and Annebe did not ask for a credit card or money, but when I got here they welcomed me with opened arms. The airlines lost my luggage, so I only had my backpack with my laptop, so I was good.

Their driver, Shindey, picked me up at the airport, and brought me to the hotel and then dropped me off at the nearby casino, Cesar’s Emporium (it felt like being in Vegas), where Adrian and Annebe and four other hotel guests were waiting for me! They planned the get together to welcome the guests. We had a couple of drinks (South African wine is good), and we discussed soccer and determine who will win the World Cup, provided wedding advice to our new friend from Belgium who is getting married when he gets back.

I was asked to pick up my bag at 7:00 in the morning, but I had more important things to do. I had to get a ticket for the Mexico vs. South Africa match and to find transportation to the stadium. I started the next day late, and I went to the airport with three paisanos (Mexican fans) who told me they were meeting up with their Dad who had an extra ticket. Eventually we found transportation, hooked up with Dad who could not get the extra tickets. After helping them get into the Stadium, I worked on getting my ticket which I purchased outside the stadium 15 minutes later for a “50-yrds-line-three-rows-up” seat for just $100 more than face value. The pregame show was outstanding giving us a good taste of African culture.

Back to the ticket, which turned out to be a stolen ticket… Mamma mia! The ticket belonged to the grandson of the lady in seat #5 (I had #4). Security came by and we discussed options. He said… “You know I have to take you out of the stadium.” Eventually, because of my sad story his good heart, he gave me a ticket to a different seat. I apologized to the grandma (I can’t help it is what I do) and went to my new seat, eight rows up slightly to the right behind one of the goals… it was great! I was surrounded by 300 South Africans, just in my section that let me know they were happy when the Bufana Bufana scored first. The referee had set a good tone for the game when he cautioned the first player so most of the game, players played hard but fair. And of course Mexico put the ball in the net later at which point I jumped up, realizing in midair (about two inches off the steps) that I was drowning in a sea of yellow shirts! Here is another example of great cultural enjoyment at World Cups… at least 25 people (OK, maybe just three) smiled, hugged me and said congratulations! I better get some rest/sleep as I will need it.

I picked up my bag so I will have clean clothes and I did showered today.